Nurses meeting over pay and work conditions

A final regional meeting for nurses demanding better pay and working conditions will be held in Dublin tonight.

Thousands of nurses and midwives are expected to congregate at the Clarion Hotel, Liffey Valley, to discuss continuing labour disputes.

More than 40,000 members of the Irish Nurses Organisation (INO) and Psychiatric Nurses Association (PNA) are currently balloting on their campaign on improvements in pay and the introduction of a 35-hour working week.

The ballot seeks the membership’s endorsement of the plan of action, which includes discussions with all political parties and individual TDs and senators, a nationwide work-to-rule on a date to be determined and, if necessary, withdrawal of labour for short periods on a regional basis with emergency services being maintained.

Last week almost 2,000 nurses attended regional meetings in Cork, Tullamore, Donegal, Galway and Limerick, with thousands more crammed into meetings in Carrickmacross, Kilkenny and Tralee this week.

“We have had an amazing turn out at all our regional meetings, with standing room only in all of them,” said an INO spokeswoman.

“We have no idea how many people have been balloted so far, but we expect a high number of nurses to turn out.

“Balloting will continue in workplaces and INO offices until January 31, with a result due to be announced on February 2.”

Union leaders have already held talks with a number of politicians including Taoiseach Bertie Ahern, Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny, PD health spokeswoman Fiona O’Malley and Sinn Féin health spokesman Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin.

Labour Party and Green Party representatives will meet the INO and PNA in the coming weeks.